Totem Pole Project

In Social Studies we often study the cultures of groups of people.  It is convenient to split culture into four categories for this purpose:

Economics:  How do you get what you need and want?
Social:  What makes one group of people different from another?
Political:  How are rules made and enforced?
Geographical:  What are the physical characteristics of a particular area and how does that affect culture?


As we study Pre-Columbian Native American cultures, I would like for you to consider the cultural aspects of your own life.  To do this, I have assigned a totem pole project.  The instructions are below: 

 your totem pole will probably not look like this one, but this is the general shape of a Pacific Coast Indian totem pole.

 

1.  Draw a totem pole on a sheet of paper.       
2.  Next, split the totem pole into 4 equal sections,
3.  In the top section of you pole draw pictures or symbols that represent how you and your family get money to buy the things you need and want.
4.  In the second section draw pictures or symbols that represent at least one social aspect of your life.  A good example might be a family tradition.
5.  In the third section draw pictures or symbols to represent how rules are made and enforced in your home.  (Political)
6.  In the bottom section of your pole, draw symbols or pictures to represent where you live.  (Geographical)
7.  When finished, make it colorful.

Remember, you cannot use words, only symbols and pictures.
Have fun!